A Crisp Pinecone Discovery

I slipped through the slight opening by the front door to see what the morning breeze was up to outside. Taking polite little steps down the front steps, I reached the stone garden walkway. Right in the middle of a smooth flagstone sat a fallen pinecone, dried and open wide like a wooden blossom. I paused, tilting my head to inspect its neat layers. With both small arms, I gently pushed it against a mossy border stone so it would stay still. Then, I sat right down in the cozy hollow between its woody scales, letting the crisp scent of pine wrap around me.